The whip: those who ordered that it be pounded soft

Hanzalah al-Sadusi said: "I heard Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) saying: 'The order concerning the whip used to be that its lower tip be cut off, then that it be placed between two stones and thinned, and then that the blows be given with it.' I asked Sayyiduna Anas: 'In whose time did this happen?' He said: 'In the time of Sayyiduna Umar bin al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him).'"

Abu Majid said: "Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) sent for a whip and thinned its lower tip until the whip became thin. He called the flogger and said: 'Flog.'"

Zayd bin Aslam said: "A man who had committed an offence carrying a prescribed punishment (hadd) was brought to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). A new, hard whip was brought, and he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: 'Bring one less than this.' So a whip that was broken and split down the middle was brought, and he said: 'Bring one above this.' Then a whip that had been softened was brought, and he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: 'Yes, this is right.'"